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August 14th, 2012
B&B’s Brad Bell On How The Soap Will Deal With The Departure of Ronn Moss!

Photo Credit: CBS

As the drama had been unfolding backstage at The Bold and the Beautiful with the sudden departure of one of its legacy stars, Ronn Moss (Ridge Forrester), TV Guide got an exclusive chat with the executive producer and head writer of B&B, Brad Bell to find out: if Moss’s exit was sudden, what he plans to do with the character of Ridge now, what happened in the contract negotiations, and if Ronn was frustrated that most of the airtime over the past year has been devoted to Liam Cooper (Scott Clifton). The interview also reports that Ronn Moss final airdate will be Friday, September 14th.

Here are a few excerpts below!

Bell on if he had any clue that Ronn Moss might quit the series: “Well, I did have a plan in place because when it’s contract time you have to be prepared. It’s always possible things won’t work out but I did not think Ronn’s departure was probable. There was a point in the negotiations where I was not hearing back from him, so just in case I went ahead and wrote a wedding for Ridge and Brooke — a real retrospective sort of wedding that honors the characters’ 25-year relationship — and then I have them take off on a honeymoon. I’ve been in this business long enough to know I have to protect my show. The worst thing happened but at least I was prepared.

Bell on if Liam and the younger set taking front and center stage had had anything to do with Ronn’s decision to leave: “You’d have to ask Ronn about his feelings about the Liam-Steffy-Hope story. Liam has become the front-and-center male on B&B, a spot long held by Ridge. Was that a frustration for Ronn? I don’t really know. I do know that it’s my job to keep B&B going forward. It’s my job to use this situation to enhance Brooke and Taylor and Bill, and especially Rick who is going to make his move on Ridge’s company. The show must go on and I’m psyched — not because Ronn is going away but psyched because of how the fall of 2012 is now looking for B&B. “

Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Bell on what went down during contract talks with Moss and if because of budget cuts more actors could be leaving: “I will just say that I’m very proud of the offer we made to Ronn, especially in this day and age of daytime television and what’s going on in our industry. Well, Ronn has an announcement to make and that will be interesting for everyone, including me. I don’t know what he has in mind. I think Ronn’s circumstances are unique. What happened here will not be widespread.”

Bell on what he plans to do with the character of Ridge: “Ridge will not be dead or presumed dead. He will just not be in the picture. I don’t want to do a presumed death because I don’t want the story that follows to be all about Ridge. This will be a Brooke story. Ridge is a pivotal part of the show and he will be back in a matter of time…and probably not all that much time. I will continue writing for the character. I’m looking at this in two phases, really. There will be a period of time without Ridge, which is where some new, interesting avenues for Brooke will come into play. But at some point it will be necessary for Ridge to return to the show. Who will be playing the role at that point remains to be seen.”

So soapers, what do you think of Bell’s statements in what went down involving Ronn Moss leaving B&B? What do you think of his plans to deal with the character of Ridge? Let us know your thoughts!

“The show must go on and I’m PSYCHED — not because Ronn is going away but PSYCHED because of how the fall of 2012 is now looking for B&B. “

Brad Bell doesn’t sound too broken up about it. It almost sounds as if he had a Freudian slip in the above-referenced quote where I put it all in CAPS. Of course there is more too it … there always is.

I agree with mr. Bell. It’s not like are 10 soaps on anymore, so one can’t be holding out for that new role on another soap. I’ve watched B&B since it debuted and love Ridge and Brooke. Although I’m saddened by his leaving, I think Mr. Bell should hire Grant Aleksander (former Phillip on GL) to replace Moss. Grant has that style of the Ridge character and I for one would love to see him back on my TV ..As for the Liam/Hope/Stephy Triangle,,it’s run its course in my book lol. Now, Brooke on the other hand..ahhh, would love to see her in another storyline. With Joanne being away from B&B right now and Ridge’s part (to be replaced), is up in the works, even tho, Ridge and Brooke will be marrying again, something could happen ya know lol..after all it’s a soap right? Would love to see Crystal Chappell’s character Dani have more airtime and a good storyline as well, so how bout a Brooke/Dani storyline? I mean come on,,there’s no other two women on daytime tv as hot at those ..I even have a couple name..Brani haha..yes, my minds been at work/play again..I’ll leave ya with that

i will miss ronn moss very much. i wish ronn the best of luck. he could be the next bo brady on days of our lives. peter reckell can be the new ridge forrester that would be very intresting if that happens. hunter tylo was a beautiful woman. why did she ruin her face with bad plastic surgery. she looks like the joker. not trying to be rude. but that’s the truth.

I think keep the character off of the series for a while. Bring Thorne back and make him an integral part of the series again. And if it comes down to bringing Ridge back, if Ronn won’t return, recast with someone excellent. Though, I won’t miss Ridge much at all, truthfully.

Support Brad Bell all the way and so thankful he isn’t going to kill off “Ridge” in a presumed dead storyline. Look forward to the new actor to play him. So much talent out there won’t be hard to find a great one to play Ridge.

I am not a Ridge fan but I do know he has many fans out there. So I don’t see this as good for the show. I also don’t think revolving the show around a 20-something character is good either. Where was the generation between? They went from Ridge to Liam but totally skipped Rick or at least someone over 30! I was too young to really get into Ridge/Brooke but now I am too old to get into Hope/Liam/Steffy. There is a big gap for the B&B viewers in their 30′s and 40′s! There is no arguing it was time to move on from Ridge/Brooke anchoring the show to the next generation. But honestly, I can’t watch the show anymore. The entire show is about the 20-something H/L/S triangle. Even when they aren’t on screen, the other characters are talking about them. It’s a big bore to me because I can’t relate to it. I don’t have kids that old to relate to what Ridge/Brooke are going through and I am clearly out of my 20′s. It leaves very little to entice me to watch B&B these days.

OMG! I just wikipedia’ Beth Chamberlin…. i was just thinking it’d be good if she was on B&B. I mean, since several of you mentioned Grant… ex-phillip.
I loved GL.

I just read…. she’s appraising the role of Ashley Abbott? I had no idea. she was offered the role in july, 2012. so, she must be starting soon. Beth and Lizzie… ON GL… are now Ashley and Abby, of Y&R. Wow! They are so good together. I love Eileen Davidson… I seriously hope… DAYS made a lucrative contract to keep her on DOOL… forever.

Grant Aleksander would be a great Ridge, at least this Ridge will be able to act lol. But imagine him with Brooke! And acting against Stephanie! He definitely has the chops (and how he doesn’t have an Emmy is crazy!)

And I agree that Beth Chamberlain would be great on B&B, or at least the recast of Ashley, that is a great idea because they look very similar.

I like the direction Brad decided to take with B&B minus RM as Ridge. Smart move. No reason to kill off a legacy character … just move him off screen with a mid-life crisis or whatever. Interesting and adds potential for tons of drama. The door is open for RM to return or a recast if he opts not to. Glad the character will not be killed off and also GLAD that KKL’s Brooke will finally get a SL with a new love interest. This is exactly what I was hoping for! Gonna be fun to see this play out. All this should make B&B interesting for some time to come!

Bell says ” Liam is the new front & center man on this show” , Oh My God, what a JOKE! I know Scott Clifton from GH & OLTL & he always plays a bumbling, stumbling, goofball with a deer in the headlights expression! Leading man, my ass. No wonder Ronn is hanging it up.

Actually, I think Moss’ leaving the show might be just what B&B needs to improve. This show was pretty decent in the 90′s but has suffered significantly in the past decade. The writers really haven’t been able to move beyond the love triangle of Ridge/Taylor/Brook and, when they did, they simply shifted to the offspring of the characters.

B&B needs some new blood!! It is time to bring on some other characters besides the Forresters, the Logans, and even the Spencers. Every time the show has attempted to do this, it has failed miserably. The long list of talented serial actors with promising starts on this show that quickly fizzled is enormous………Linda Gray, Sydney Penny, Eileen Davidson, Lorenzo Lamas, etc.

Moss’ departure would be a great opportunity to give this show a desperately needed change. The only thing bad about Bell’s comments is that he doesn’t seem to be willing to simply shut the door on Ridge. If Moss is leaving the show, work the loss of Ridge to its full benefit: KILL Ridge off in a storyline where he clearly dies. Heck, Bell could simply borrow from his father’s old Y&R plot concerning Phillip’s death and the friction between Jill and Kay — I’d have Ridge die in an accident while trying to help a drunk Taylor. Brooke could shower Taylor with anger and blame for the entire thing while loyal friend Stephanie quickly rushed to Taylor’s defense.

Make Moss’ departure a turning point for this stale show. Sending Ridge off for a few months, only to return in the form of Grant Alexander, Michael C. Knight, or (fill in the blank with another unemployed veteran actor) really doesn’t add much.

With all due respect to Moss and his long run on the show (but not his poor acting!), the character of Ridge really is completely played out!!!!

It is not Ronn Moss who made the show such a horrible experience to watch year after year but the non writing abilities of Brad Bell! The present case: Steffy/Liam/Hope triangle! A desperate attempt to recreate the 20 year long triangle between Brooke/Ridge/Taylor!. Maybe it is for the best that he leaves now and still have some respect for his own career!

This comment is so lame….here we go again..another person who have no idea what a soap opera fan wants..most of all what a B&B fan needs. Its Ronn Moss as Ridge or nothing ..at all. The Stefy/Liam/Hope triangle is ridiculous. And I bet a trillion$$ that Bell is slowly going to turn Hope’s character into ,,”mini–brooke”…..Bell is busy writing the script for Liam to chose Stefy ..& Hope will not handle the rejection..So here comes Hope THE whore of Beverly Hills She is going to sleep with every man in the show..just like..back-in-the-day Brooke. The only time I like “the threesome..is the look on Stefy face when Liam is with Hope..other than that..script is ..boring! boring! boring!

Claire Churnac replied January 17th, 2013 at 3:47 am

I agree they should kill off Ridge..But your comment about him not being a good actor is unacceptable..you are entitled to your opinion..so am I.
So here we go. It takes a good actor to make you believe he’s really making out with all those leading ladies..esp Brooke. The world adores them..because it feels real. And even If I thought Ronn could not act..I would still watch..because he is the best “eye candy” on daytime & primetime..There you go

I think Michael Knight would make a great Ridge . By casting the right person you will get alot more fans from different shows watching and the ratings will skyrocket. Michael Knight from AMC is definitely the right person. I hope Mr. Bell will make the right choice.

What amazes me in this interview is how, after working together very close for more than 25 long years, Brad Bell is able to cast off Ronn Moss with one stroke of a penn and thinking already about the next actor that is going to play him! So all the stories about friendship and loyality in his little world of Bell Productions are just plain windowdressing because Brad Bell does simply forget that, not his writing abilities made the show great, but the interaction between the actors on the show, and although Ronn Moss, is not a great actor, his presence together with the other 3 core actors did made the show great in the rest of the world!

Thank you for writing, I hope that Brad Bell see your comment..He alllowed “a man on fire” walked to walk-on-by. But on the flip side..I am happy for Ronn, he looks happy with his new wife and adores his children. Would love to see him on the big screen..a few times…and at least he does not have to study the 60-page-scripts, daily. Whew!! I know he’s taking advantage of that free time. And we all wish him nothing but the best.

As long as Forrest Creations exist, none of the characters involved will ever be played out. I think one of the most interesting turns will be the “power grab” for FC when Ridge bows out! May have been a lukewarm summer, but it looks like the fall could be a lot hotter! I’m ready for a hotter than usual fall. B&B, bring the heat!!!

Still don’t want to see Peter Reckell as Ridge recast, but a Jon Hensley and KKL pairing could be super hot. I miss the whimsy soaps used to have … now it’s all hard-lined drama most times. The adults on the show can be so serious, but worst of all so can the kids. That’s why Steffy and Liam having fun this week has be really nice. Glad to see B&B finally using location to its advantage.

B & B was very boring this past year. Hate the trio juvenile drama, so childlike. Brad needs a new job, he has no clue what B & B fans want, (obiviously hasn’t read the internet remarks regarding Ronn Moss departure) !!! I will not watch any longer, after 25 yrs. Ronn will succeed WHERE EVER he goes, we LOVE HIM. Brad, YOUR RE-CAST will not be accepted, you’re done with this show, you might as well accept it NOW !!!

Well the statement has been made that Ridge will not die and this is a BIG MISTAKE!
I have watched this soap opera from the beginning and love Ronn Moss as Ridge. I am sad to see him go but I will NEVER accept anyone else as this character. That would be as bad as my current husband leaving me and coming back as my ex husband. It will not work

I agree, I love Ronn Moss as Ridge and I hate it when they bring a newcomer in to play the role. I think the Liam/Steffy/Hope triangle has played out long enough. Time for Hope to grow up and let Laim and Steffy build a life together…they have chemistry. I would also love to see Taylor’s life amp up and Brooke be alone for a while..she always has to have a man.

Oh That Brad bell. I am psyched too..and I will tell you exactly what’s going to happen. B&B will be off the air sooner than you think. There is no Brooke story without Ronn Ross playing Ridge Forrester. So don’t even think off replacing Ronn…Its better to kill off that character…I personally think Ronn made the best move for his life…$$$$ is not worth it. The man is 60 years young..gorgeous & sexy than Clifton could ever be…and the best kisser on screen. No other actor can mesmerized an audience, like Ronn Moss. He’s “simply the best”..better than all the rest…before and after him. Back to Clifton…I use to watch him in another soap and I think he got an Emmy for “best new actor”..but he does not have the sex appeal to carry the show. I think a chip off the old block would have been the wiser choice….meaning Thomas should have the sexy-story-line. He look the part and not a bad kisser on screen. BTW….I hate the Stefy-Liam- Hope idiotic triangle. I saw the first episode of B&B..I know all the good & bad story lines…and this S_L_H..is nothing but an underscore. All i can say is…..I am no longer a fan of B&B…Thanks to Youtube..I can view Ridge/Ronn daily, and that’s what I’ve been doing.
Adios!!!

I think they did his character a great injustice but not attempting to replace him. He was such a hands on father and now that Steffie needs him and needed him and no dad. It just didn’t seem like something Ridge would do. I thought how disappointing. They need to bring him back when Brooke is about 7 months along. Now that would be an interesting scene.

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